Nicola Cartlidge

Experience

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  Royal Opera House

  Apr 2003 - Jul 2003

  Production Intern

  Selected to go on a residential course for University students to learn about producing large scale productions. These were the key aspects of the internship:• Researching and presenting to staff the production process, including finances, of staging an Opera at the Royal Opera House• Producing a scene from an Opera in the studio theatre space• Representing the under 25's in a question and answer session with the chief executive of the Royal Opera House

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  Eco Africa Experience

  Aug 2003 - Dec 2003

  Conservation Experience

  Living on a game reserve in South Africa for four months working with the veterinary and conservation team.

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  Oxford International Education Group

  Jul 2004 - Sept 2004

  English Language Teacher / Activity Co-ordinator

  Responsibilities included:• Teaching English to a class of foreign students varying in age and ability • Organising and leading group activities• Taking on pastoral care duties

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  Creation Theatre Company

  Sept 2005 - Mar 2011

  Renowned in Oxford for its bold and innovative productions of classic texts, Creation Theatre Company is a Site Specific theatre company with a yearly attendance of over 30,000 people and a substantial education programme.This was a diverse role overseeing the running of the company alongside the Executive Director.Responsibilities included:• Financial control including setting of targets and projections • Working closely with the artistic and production team to create exciting accessible theatre • Long term strategic planning • Recruitment of permanent and freelance staff• Directly managing the marketing, education, front of house and production departments and monitoring expenditure and results• Pro-actively sourcing new venues and business opportunities and being the key liaison with venue hosts including BMW, Oxford Castle, Oxford City Council, Oxford University and Blackwells Bookshop.• Representing the company at a wide range of industry events, public events and in the mediaKey achievements included:• Alongside the Executive Director, overseeing the company whilst it cleared a £71k debt and the threat of bankruptcy from 2007 to 2009• Running the company while the Executive Director worked remotely from Norway for a year• Establishing and managing relationships with Said Business School and Blackwells Book Shop ensuring that the company was invited back to the venues in subsequent years• Being the guest lecturer and assessor for Oxford Brookes University Architecture Undergraduates degree where the students designed a site specific theatre venue Show less In this role I was the producer on seven shows in site specific locations. Responsibilities included:• Regular update meetings with Heads of departments and other relevant organisations throughout the planning process of each season • Contributing to venue/event planning including the preparation of schedules, pricing, seating plan layouts and programme of events• Implementing and overseeing all Creation policies including Health and Safety• Responsible for strategic staff development and staffing structures and implementing the recruitment process• Overseeing the show run including regular attendance at shows, liaising with production and front of house team and monitoring ticket sales against targetsKey achievements:• Running the recruitment process to fill 30 positions for summer 2008• Successfully managing 50 members of staff and being the producer on three large shows across three venues in the summer of 2008• Producing and managing a promenade show in a public park with an audience capacity of 350 people• Making nightly speeches to the audience to encourage individual giving • Overseeing the accounts as the company was a charity for the first year, having been a limited company Show less Responsibilities included:• Identifying and developing contacts with prospective sponsors• Planning and implementation the casting process including understudies• Developing a fundraising portfolio• Organising a series of concerts at Oxford Castle in summer 2006, the first series of concerts for Creation in an open air venue. I successfully found 4 different bands to be involved offering an eclectic mix of music and oversaw all marketing for the events• Working with the education team to help co-ordinate workshops in different venues Show less Responsibilities included:• Designing and implementing the Group Sales marketing strategy and plan• Meeting agreed income targets of 25% of ticket income, by maximising sales and focusing on up-selling• Being responsible for proactive telesales and after care/cross-selling calls• Co-ordinating print production, including copy writing, proof reading and design• Assisting in preparation of advertising areas such as bus banners and in publications• Assisting with market research and market analysis Show less

  • Producer and Operations Manager

    Jan 2009 - Mar 2011

  • Deputy Producer

    Jul 2006 - Dec 2008

  • Groups and Projects Co-ordinator

    Mar 2006 - Jun 2006

  • Marketing and Groups Sales Co-ordinator

    Sept 2005 - Feb 2006
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  Kings Colleges

  Jul 2011 - Aug 2011

  English Language Teacher

  Kings Education is a specialist, high quality, international education group with teaching locations across the USA and UK. They deliver University pathways, High School Pathways and English language courses.I taught 14 to 18 year olds on the English Language Course, teaching speaking, listening, writing and grammar. Class sizes were between 6 and 20 and I taught from beginners to advanced. I was responsible for all class preparation, delivery and marking and ensured lessons were dynamic, supportive and memorable. I incorporated drama activities into the pupils learning to build confidence with speaking. I was pleased to be asked to return to teach at the school for the following summer. Show less

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  Oxford Brookes University

  Sept 2011 - Sept 2012

  Trainee Primary School Teacher

  As part of my teacher training I taught in four primary schools including a specialist school for children with dyslexia. I was responsible for planning and delivering lessons in all subjects specialising in drama and sport. I enjoyed the challenge of encouraging children to achieve their full potential and was always available to listen and offer support when needed. From experienced class teachers I worked with I was particularly praised for my “positive, calm presence” and “enthusiastic nature”. In my final report my teaching received the top grade of “very good”. Show less

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  FOREST FORGE THEATRE COMPANY

  Dec 2012 - Sept 2015

  General Manager

  Forest Forge is a rural Touring Theatre Company specialising in New Writing, family shows and outreach work.I was responsible for the company's financial and organisational wellbeing, specifically in charge of marketing, finances, fundraising, venue management, tour booking, contracts, HR, PR, charity governance and business strategy.Responsiblilities included:•Managing all company finances including creating budgets and forcasts, ensuring income and expenditure targets were met and overseeing the annual audit.•Implementing and managing all marketing campaigns for professional tours•Developing and implementing the company fundraising strategy. This included managing relationships with core funders, writing applications, overseeing individual giving and developing new collaborations. •Booking all tours both local and national•Recruiting and contracting freelancers and PAYE staff•Seeking new business opportunities•Managing the office and premises including studio and workshop spaceKey achievements included:•Alongside the Artistic Director securing two Grant for the Arts and a Strategic Touring fund from Arts Council England.•Re-imaging the publicity used by the company for all print, updating the brand and seeking new marketing partnerships.•Finding new touring partnerships in the South of England, Wales and London to expand the reach of tours of New Writing.•Developing and running the company’s first individual giving campaign raising £13,741 from 135 individuals.•Creating a Social Media Strategy for the company resulting in growth in follower numbers and engagement. •Developing a sustainable business model for the company going forward which has been successfully implemented and ensured the company has continued despite loosing core Arts Council funding. Show less

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  Career Break

  Oct 2015 - Aug 2017

  Career Break - raising family
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  .

  Sept 2017 - Sept 2023

  Social Media Manager

  I built up my own business, gaining clients through networking and word of mouth. I worked with businesses to improve their online social presence and provided training, strategy writing and social media channel management.

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  FOREST FORGE THEATRE COMPANY

  Oct 2018 - Apr 2019

  Business Manager
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  FOREST FORGE THEATRE COMPANY

  Nov 2020 - Jul 2021

  Business Operations Manager
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  Hampshire County Council

  Jan 2023 - Nov 2024

  Ceremony Registration Office

  A busy, public-facing role registering and delivering marriage and civil partnership ceremonies across the New Forest. Being a key part of a couples special day was a huge privilege.

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  Arts University Bournemouth

  Jan 2024 - now

  Theatre and Venues Manager